Tributes for Feb. 7

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Merle J. Peterson

Aug. 13, 1927-Jan. 29, 2013

Age: 85

Residence: Broken Bow, Neb.

Merle J. Peterson, 85, formerly of Taylor, Neb., entered into his Savior’s presence Jan. 29, 2013, at the Callaway hospital. Merle was born Aug. 13, 1927, to Julius and Koneta Duddy Peterson in Cheyenne County, Colo. He grew up on the ranch with sister, Glaida and brothers, Allen and Norman.

Merle attended first through eighth grade at Mount Pearl, graduating from Kit Carson High School in 1945. He worked for the Collins Ranch.

In 1950, Merle was drafted by the Army. As Sergeant First Class, he endured icy combat conditions. Too long in freezing foxholes led to artificial hips that would distinctively define his gait as his own.

The front line that he was commanding left their trench to attend Sunday service. While they were at the service, their trench was heavily fired upon. A private had left his Bible in the foxhole and when they returned, the Bible was lying open and unharmed, while everything else was destroyed.

Merle wed Imogene Chronsiter on Sept. 19, 1954. They ranched and farmed, and a daughter and son were born. Merle served as a Colorado State Brand Inspector, retiring the late ‘70s.

On June 17, 1970, Merle wed Ruth Jordan in Brookings, S.D., and to this union, two sons and a daughter were born. The family lived in Wray, running a restaurant and ranching. In 1985, the family set roots in Taylor, Neb., where Merle worked at local feedlots, sale barns, and ranches.

He took pride in being able to keep 100 head of cows until 2002, when he permanently downsized. He also served as the Veterans Service Officer and the Weed Superintendent for Loup County until the mid 1990s. Merle and Ruth moved to Broken Bow’s Off Broadway Assisted Living in the fall of 2010.

He was his children’s biggest encourager, whether it was school, mechanics or starting a colt. He always had a story to tell and a smile to give.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruth; son, Lynn; daughter, Amy Peterson Stapleman; brother, Allen and wife, Bonita; and brothers-in-law, Red Craven and Raymond Jordan.

Linda Christine Williams

Sept. 9, 1950–Feb. 1, 2013

Age: 62

Residence: Greeley

Linda Christine Williams, born an earthly angel on Sept. 9, 1950, became a heavenly angel on Feb. 1, 2013.

She was born in Laramie, Wyo., to Faye Lavon Pollock and Edward Brooks Pollock. She worked as a paralegal for Agland, then managed her mother’s cosmetology school, Highland Hills Beauty Academy. In her later years, she worked at Life Care Center in Greeley, where she loved visiting with the residents and their families. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, daughter, family, and friends. She also enjoyed walking her dogs, swimming, reading her Bible, scrapbooking, baking, playing pinochle, taking cruises, vacationing, and camping with the grandkids.

She is loved and will be dearly missed by those surviving her, mother, Faye Lundvall; stepfather,Elmer Lundvall; brother, Steve Lundvall and his wife, Ingrid Lundvall; sister, Lorrie Wood; daughter, Christine Lucas and her husband, Jason Lucas; and the little grandchildren that were the light of her life, Taylor, Connor, Kylie and Brennen Lucas.

She is rejoicing in heaven with those who went before her, father, Edward Brooks Pollock; grandmother, Mary Viola Busby; and aunt, Dorothy Rambo.

She was a blessing to all who knew her and touched many lives with her grace and love.

A service to celebrate her life and memory will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 8, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3000 35th Ave., in Greeley. Memorial contributions may be made her Linda’s memory to a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.adamsonchapels.com.